Instant Pot Pulled Pork – Tender, juicy shredded pork revels in a festival of flavors and mouthwatering BBQ sauce! Make the perfect filling for sandwiches, burritos, tacos, and more in record time. And enjoy all the deliciousness of slow-roasted pork effortlessly!
I can’t count how many times my Instant Pot has saved me. From beans to this absolutely fabulous pulled pork recipe. Just season the pork, sear it, press the buttons, and voila, your pork roast is ready to shred in around an hour.
And it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at parties. Talk about amazing miniature pulled pork sandwiches for a perfect appetizer. That, and my jerk chicken wings, are the first to disappear every time.
Why Use Your Instant Pot for Pulled Pork?
So the beauty of authentic barbecued pulled pork is how long it takes to cook over an open fire. The smokey goodness and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness from hours of roasting over a wood fire is incredible. But honestly, who has time to fire up the BBQ pit every time the craving hits? While nothing quite compares to the real deal, some smokey BBQ sauce and an Instant Pot will get you close in a fraction of the time
Recipe Ingredients
- Pork Roast – A boneless pork cut (butt, shoulder, loin, or tenderloin) will be easier to shred after cooking.
- Seasonings – Don’t let the long list scare you because mixing these guys together takes seconds. Brown sugar, salt, black pepper, pork chop seasoning, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and chili powder all coat your meat with fantastic flavor.
- Broth – Liquid to properly steam the meat is essential in an Instant Pot. Chicken broth enjoys a lighter taste, but you can use pork, beef, or vegetable broth.
- Sauces – Worcestershire sauce ups the umami in your pulled pork, while the right BBQ sauce provides that I-cooked-this-for-hours-over-an-open-fire flavor.
How to Make Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- Mix Seasonings – Mix the brown sugar, kosher salt, ground mustard, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and chili powder in a small bowl.
- Pork Rub – Coat the pork roast with the seasoning mixture.
- Sauté – Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté.” Heat the oil in the pot, then add 4-5 pieces of pork at a time, browning on all sides.
- Add the Liquids – Once all the pork is browned, turn the Instant Pot off. Place the browned pork back in the pot and add the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce.
- Pressure Cook – Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the vent to “Sealing.” Cook on high pressure for 40 minutes. Once the time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Then click the quick release to let the remaining pressure go.
- Serve – Put the pork in a bowl and shred it with two forks. Then stir in the barbecue sauce until the meat is coated. Serve as is or in sandwiches, tacos, or egg rolls.
Recipe Variations
- Meat Swaps – Pork isn’t your only option because chicken or beef works, too. Chicken takes about 10 minutes, and economical beef cuts take about 20 minutes per pound.
- Sauce Subs – Would you like to switch out the flavor? Chimichurri sauce, peri-peri sauce, and jerk sauce are all delectable.
- Liquid Swap – Did you know your favorite soda ups the ante in your pulled pork? Coca-Cola, Sprite, Dr. Pepper, and even Fanta tenderize the meat while caramelizing it for the perfect sweet with the spicy.
Tips and Tricks
- Brine the pork or marinate it for 8-12 hours if you have the time.
- Homemade barbecue sauce is easier to adjust to your liking and doesn’t have excess salt.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Pulled pork is even better the next day, so reduce your stress on the big day by having it ready to go. Store in the fridge, then reheat on the stovetop and serve.
Serving and Storage Instructions
You can serve this deliciousness as is, in a pulled pork sandwich, on taco night, you name it.
You can refrigerate leftovers for 3-4 days in an airtight container. They also freeze well for three months.
Zap leftover pulled pork in the microwave or reheat them on the stovetop until bubbling. This is also an excellent time to add more BBQ sauce if you want.
FAQs
That depends on your time availability. Both are straightforward and stress-free. The slow cooker makes extra tender pork, and you can leave it to do its job all day. The Instant Pot is faster, so if you forget to set up the slow cooker in the morning, you can still have a delicious dinner on the table in time.
Patience is a virtue in so many areas of life. And tough pork could be because the pressure was released too quickly. Be patient, take your time, and let the pressure go naturally so the meat has time to tenderize.
While it is possible to overcook pork, you’ll be glad to know it’s not as easy to do as with other meats. If you plan on 15 minutes per pound (an hour for a 4-pound roast) and then natural release for another 15 minutes, you should be good.
What to Serve With Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Aside from sandwiches and wraps, you can also serve pulled pork with these fantabulous side dishes below.
- Roast Potatoes and Carrots
- Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
- Southern Mustard Greens
- Chef Salad
- Texas Roadhouse Rolls
- Seasoned Rice
More Mouthwatering Pulled Pork Recipes to Try
Conclusion
Enjoy perfectly seasoned pulled pork in just an hour with your pressure cooker. Would you love other amazing Instant Pot recipes? Check out my Instant Pot collection and pin your faves.😍
Watch How to Make It
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Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 4-pound boneless pork roast, cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1½ cups chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1½ cups barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Mix the brown sugar, salt, ground mustard, black pepper, garlic and onion powder, smoked paprika, and chili powder in a small bowl.
- Coat the pork roast with the seasoning mixture.
- Set the Instant Pot to "Saute." Add the oil into the pot so it can get hot. Add 4-5 pieces of pork into the pot at a time, browning on all sides.
- Once all the pork is browned, turn the Instant Pot off and place the remaining pork in the pot along with the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce.
- Place the lid on your Instant Pot and set the vent to "sealing." Cook on high pressure for 40 minutes. Once the time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Then quick release the remaining pressure.
- Add the pork to a bowl and shred it with two forks. Then stir in the barbecue sauce. Serve.
Tips & Notes:
- Brine the pork or marinate it for 8-12 hours if you have the time.
- Homemade barbecue sauce is easier to adjust to your liking and doesn’t have excess salt.
- Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
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